The Gang of Eight is finishing up the final details and is planning to unveil the proposed legislation on Tuesday. Even before the measure gets its first public airing, its authors are defending the program for the 11 million individuals in this country who came illegally or overstayed their visit.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida says the proposal will be a starting point and wants to include colleagues' ideas.

Already the effort has its critics.

For instance, Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama says Rubio's heart is in the right place, but he worries the bill would give those here illegally amnesty.